Murder in Myanmar

Iyan Nurmansyah, Sussex, UK (published in The Jakarta Post 28/9/07)

It is very distressing to see that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) does not seem to be doing much in dealing with the crisis in Myanmar.

Just imagine if ASEAN was the European Union (EU), and Myanmar one of its members. I believe that the other member countries would have reacted hysterically.

For example, the EU put pressure on the Slovakian government over their attitude towards the Romany Gypsies minority group. When Slovakia decided to join this prestigious club, Bratislava had to agree with the values shared by all members of the institution. One of those values is to provide equal rights for minority groups.

Another recent example is the furor caused by the homophobic comments made by Polish senior officials, which has forced the European Parliament to send a fact-finding mission to Poland.

The point is, whether one agrees or disagrees with homosexuality, once Warsaw signed up to become part of this European "brotherhood" club, all Polish public officials had to respect the club's credo, and "behave" appropriately, especially when in the public eye.

Inciting hatred based on sexual orientation by public officials of a new member country is not what the EU bureaucrats in Brussels and Strasbourg want to hear.

Thus, it is extremely bizarre to see the policy makers in Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Manila almost turning a blind eye to the situation in Myanmar, which has caused a global uproar elsewhere. To speak frankly, this makes us wonder what kind of values the ASEAN members share.

It has been 10 years since Myanmar joined ASEAN, and we have all witnessed the antics of the ruling generals reacting to the pro-democracy movements. This is not an era when appalling facts can be hidden from the outside world. The revolution in technology has enabled us to see what is going on even in the most remote part of this planet.

Of course there are arguments the decision made by senior ASEAN members not to take decisive action is due to the significance of Myanmar in terms of natural resources, such as gas and oil. Being too "noisy" on Myanmar's internal affairs would possibly alienate Myanmar from the ASEAN community, and even possibly draw Myanmar closer to emerging powers such as China.

Should that happen, the loser would probably be ASEAN, not Myanmar. Bluntly, we can say ASEAN needs Myanmar more than Myanmar needs ASEAN.

There is much evidence to show the relationship between China and Myanmar is getting stronger. For example, the Military Government of Myanmar recently decided to sell its natural gas to PetroChina (Source: Gideon Lundholm, Asia Times Online). Emerging world powers like China and India definitely need energy for economic development, and Myanmar has the resources these two countries need.

Moreover, the trade between China and Myanmar keeps increasing. Data according to the Chinese government statistics as presented by David Fullbrook for the Asia Times Online shows in 2004, the trade between China and Myanmar had increased to US$1.2 billion, from only $313.7 million in 1989.

It seems other ASEAN members use facts like these as a reason to deal with the issue of Myanmar in an extremely "careful" fashion. The way senior ASEAN members deal with the Myanmar government fits an old idiom: "let sleeping dogs lie". Just go easy with Myanmar, or we might cause a problem, which would be bad for us.

What we forget is that some ASEAN member countries have had a long and remarkable struggle on the path towards democracy. As Indonesians, even though we are still learning how to be a properly democratic country, we are proud that in 1998 the supporters of democracy successfully abolished the Soeharto regime.

The history of 1986 People Power in the Philippines is a further example of how another ASEAN member country has chosen to say no to injustice and oppression. Therefore, the value of democracy and freedom is not something, which is alien to us anymore.

In fact, it should be the backbone of our ASEAN community. By not taking a decisive action in dealing with Myanmar, we have denied the rights of the Myanmarese to freedom, more importantly we have also undermined the prestige of ASEAN and have lowered the standards of our regional institution.

We might face the risk of economic loss by upsetting the Myanmar government, however, human lives and freedom are certainly more precious than money.

The writer holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Sussex. He can be reached at RN28@sussex.ac.uk.

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EU-US STATEMENT ON BURMA/MYANMAR

The European Union and the United States express their solidarity with the people of Burma/Myanmar. We are deeply troubled by reports that security forces have fired on and attacked peaceful demonstrators and arrested many Buddhist monks and others. We condemn all violence against peaceful demonstrators and remind the country's leaders of their personal responsibility for their actions.

We call on the authorities to stop violence and to open a process of dialogue with pro democracy leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of ethnic minorities. We urge China, India, ASEAN and others in the region to use their influence in support of the people of Burma/Myamar.

We urge the country's authorities to receive an early visit by the UN Secretary General's envoy Ibrahim Gambari. We call on the Security Council to discuss this situation urgently and consider further steps including sanctions.

This statement approved at the meeting between EU Foreign Ministers and the US Secretary of State in New York on 26 September 2007.

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EU Forum on Sustainable Nuclear Energy

In Brussels on Friday 21 September 2007, the European Commission offcially launched a techonological platform for sustainable nuclear energy. The main task of this structure, which will bring together the worlds of research and business, will be define and implement a strategic agenda for research and a deployment strategy in the field of nuclear power.

"For those countries that choose it, nuclear power will be a very important part of their solution to security of supply and reduction of greenhouse gases", said Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. "It is clear that we need to address two important concerns - ensuring that nuclear power is economically competitive and, more importanly, our duty to make it as neutral as possible in environmental terms", he added. World energy compsumption is set to double between 2000 and 2050, and nuclear energy will remain a key element in future low-carbon energy systems, the Commission belives. Europe has the two world's leading nuclear sector, with a third of its electric current being produced by nuclear power stations. This forum will provide recommendations and specialist advice to the European Commission and the national governments to help them to define and to concentrate efforts and budgets on the priorities identified by the EU27.

Source: Bulletin Quotidien Europe No. 9508, Tuesday 25 September 2007

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A new tool for Eurostat data

On 21 August 2007 Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, has launched a new “Tables, Graphs and Maps” (TGM) interface on its website. Based on 1,300 predefined and continuously updated tables, users are able to create customisable graphics and maps for use in publications and presentations.

The current test version presents economic, social and sustainable development indicators which can be adapted depending on the countries, date and data classes covered. For the regions, tables and maps can be created in the “long-term indicators” section on data such as population density, gross domestic product and unemployment rates. All tables, graphs and maps are available in English, French and German. First time users can take a demo tour and are requested to give feedback on the new service.

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EU to join ASEAN's cooperation treaty

By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
Published in Gulfnews, August 02, 2007, 00:33

Manila: The European Union promised to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (Asean-TAC) that aims to settle military disputes and prevent external invasions within Asia's major regional block.

"Last year, the EU decided to join Asean's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in order to express our appreciation of the EU-Asean relationship. We welcome very much Asean's readiness to make necessary steps to accommodate our accession shortly," the EU said in a statement.

Earlier, the European bloc's foreign policy chief Javier Solana criticised Myanmar's rejection of Asean's plan to create a regional human rights body as a provision of the Asean Charter.

The episode, however, did not dampen the EU's desire to join the TAC. The EU boasts 27 member countries but France is a signatory of the TAC.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka signed up as the newest members of the TAC, bringing its total membership to 24.

The entry of China as a member of the TAC was very important to Asean because of its connotations for peace in the contested South China Sea.

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam's claims to the whole of the oil-rich Spratly Archipelago and the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei's claims to some parts of the land mass have led to a potential flashpoint in the region.

China's accession to TAC seems to augur well by way of a code of conduct for the claimants.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to keep a distance from TAC.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, however, stressed the US' commitment to Asean.

"Our engagement in this part of the world is strong and we are committed to deepening our ties even further in the time ahead. The United States considers relations with Asean as a critical component in its dealings with East Asia as a whole," he said.

Negroponte, however, lauded Asean's plan to create a Charter, adding it is part of the region's democratic ideals.

- With inputs from Estrella Torres, Correspondent

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